Rate the Spine: 2025 Edition

[Big Del]

That changed mid-way through the season. I'm surprised you missed it, it was one of the big storylines out of the Cowboys season.

OK .
Fair enough .

 

[BroncsFan]

That changed mid-way through the season. I'm surprised you missed it, it was one of the big storylines out of the Cowboys season.

I think in the end Dearden just ended up playing five-eight with the 7 on his back.

I think initially Dearden started wearing the 7 when they were trying the Dearden + Purdue partnership and Dearden was actually playing halfback in those stints, but that required Purdue to move to the right and it just wasn't working at all for either of them... so they then brought Clifford back, but just kept Dearden in the 7 jersey, but I didn't really see anything different in the previous times they partnered up.

Eventually Dearden ripped it up in Origin 3 playing on the right and I thought ok Cows should make the move now and push him to the right permanently, but they just stuck with him on the left in the 7 jersey with Clifford doing all the kicking from the right in the 6 jersey.

So to me Dearden is still a five eight and needs a 7 to do the kicking... maybe 2026 cows will fully commit to Dearden 7 with a full off season behind him doing it.

 

[Big Pete]

I think in the end Dearden just ended up playing five-eight with the 7 on his back.

I think initially Dearden started wearing the 7 when they were trying the Dearden + Purdue partnership and Dearden was actually playing halfback in those stints, but that required Purdue to move to the right and it just wasn't working at all for either of them... so they then brought Clifford back, but just kept Dearden in the 7 jersey, but I didn't really see anything different in the previous times they partnered up.

Eventually Dearden ripped it up in Origin 3 playing on the right and I thought ok Cows should make the move now and push him to the right permanently, but they just stuck with him on the left in the 7 jersey with Clifford doing all the kicking from the right in the 6 jersey.

So to me Dearden is still a five eight and needs a 7 to do the kicking... maybe 2026 cows will fully commit to Dearden 7 with a full off season behind him doing it.

Are you sure about that? I'm pretty sure Dearden was predominantly playing right-side even after Payten relented on the Purdue at 6 experiment. Outside of Clifford eventually winning back the reigns as the primary kicker, Dearden was still doing a lot more of the general play role where he was directing the team around the field.

 

[BroncsFan]

Are you sure about that? I'm pretty sure Dearden was predominantly playing right-side even after Payten relented on the Purdue at 6 experiment. Outside of Clifford eventually winning back the reigns as the primary kicker, Dearden was still doing a lot more of the general play role where he was directing the team around the field.

I recall Purdue being on the right because he was murdering my fantasy and SVRL teams by not passing it. Cows left side got the ball for most of the year because that's where Dearden was posted up... or at least felt most comfortable doing it.

Dearden was playing both sides at times and from that stand point it was an evolution of his game, but they didn't make the leap and put him to the right after origin 3 which was the perfect time to do it

 

[Big Pete]

I recall Purdue being on the right because he was murdering my fantasy and SVRL teams by not passing it. Cows left side got the ball for most of the year because that's where Dearden was posted up... or at least felt most comfortable doing it.

Dearden was playing both sides at times and from that stand point it was an evolution of his game, but they didn't make the leap and put him to the right after origin 3 which was the perfect time to do it

Dearden wasn't afraid to float around, but he's defending right-side and that was typically the edge he found himself on in attack.

Initially I was actually going to make the point that it was a Lockyer/JT situation but then I realised I didn't have to.

 

[BroncsFan]

Dearden wasn't afraid to float around, but he's defending right-side and that was typically the edge he found himself on in attack.

Initially I was actually going to make the point that it was a Lockyer/JT situation but then I realised I didn't have to.

I think he might've moved to the right in the early days with Purdue because he was doing the kicking and Payten desperately wanted him to be the 7, but I don't think it lasted long, because I recall Dearden kicking from the left at later points with the 7 jersey on and it looked awkward.

Can only recall Clifford ever being on the right because he was doing the kicking.

But my brain is mush so probably mis-remembering everything to be honest.

 

[Big Pete]

I think he might've moved to the right in the early days with Purdue because he was doing the kicking and Payten desperately wanted him to be the 7, but I don't think it lasted long, because I recall Dearden kicking from the left at later points with the 7 jersey on and it looked awkward.

Can only recall Clifford ever being on the right because he was doing the kicking.

But my brain is mush so probably mis-remembering everything to be honest.

I looked further into it.

When Dearden switched to halfback, he started off on the left-side and remained there until Origin III. Against Canterbury he made the switch to the right and even when Clifford returned he remained there.

Again, I did remember it being fishy and was going to make the JT comparison, but realised I didn't have to and the Cows effectively went 'all in'.